Spring-clamp



(No Model.)

T. S. LEWIS.

SPRING CLAMP. No. 250,553. Patented Dec. 6,1881.

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TRISTRAM S. LEWIS, OF SAOO, MAINE.

SPRlNG-CLAM P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 250,553, dated December 6, 1881. Application filed October 24, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, TRISTRAM S. Lnwrs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Saco, York county. Maine, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Spring-Clamps; and I do hereby declare that the same are fully described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The object of this invention is to provide a spring-clampof peculiar construction, adapted to be readily pressed forward to hold two or more articles in contact, and not liable to be accidentally disengaged.

This invention is especially designed to facilitate the'manufacture of fine shoes by providing a convenient means of holding a temporary covering over the upper parts of the stock and lining, to prevent the latter from being soiled at the hands of the workman. Heretot'oreit has been customary to hold such temporary coverings in position by stitching; but such course is objectionable, for various reasons.

The drawings illustrate, in Figure 1, the application of my improved clamping device to a shoe in process of construction, while Fig.2 is a perspective view, full size, of the clamp itself.

The clamp is made, as shown, of a strip of flat spring-metal, bent near the middle to form two arms, a b. The arm a terminates in two curved claws, c 0, one at each edge, turned back so as to ofl'er no resistance to pushing the clamp forward upon a flat article to be held between the arm is, but to opposeits Withdrawal. The arm b is prolonged between the claws c 0, so as to be supported laterally by them, andis turned slightly backward for ready insertion of the article to be held. The prolongation of the arm I) prevents detachment of the article by turning it back and avoiding the hold of the claws. Such detachment can only be accomplished by springing the arms apart and holding the claws of the arm at out of contact with the article, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

As a substitute for the claws c c, the edges of the arm a at its free end may be turned down and ratchet-teeth formed thereon.

\Vheu myinvention is employed in the manufacture of shoes the temporary covering 0 is slipped over the upper edges of the stock f and lining I, after being stitched together, and one or more of the clamps applied. as shown, to hold the covering in position. When thus heldthe variousoperationsattendingthemanufacture of the shoe may be performed without detaching the covering or soiling the stock or lining. I

I claim as of my iuveutiou As a new article of manufacture, the springclamp a b 0, formed of a strip of elastic material having at the end of one arm the claws c c, projecting inwardly, with a recess between them for the reception of the end of the other arm, prolonged and turned up, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereofI hereto affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

TRISTRAM S. LEWIS.

Witnesses:

O. G. KnYEs, A. H. SPENCER. 

